The Gala Flat

The Gianvito in Granata

The Marie in Bisque

The Marie in Granata

The Roxy

The Cherry Flats

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The Gianvito Rossi boutique at Level Shoes

The Gianvito Rossi boutique at Level Shoes

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The Gianvito Rossi boutique at Level Shoes

The Gianvito Rossi boutique at Level Shoes

A decade ago Gianvito Rossi started his eponymous shoe label, which is now a firm red carpet favourite. He was in Dubai recently to celebrate this landmark with the opening of his first store in the Middle East at Dubai’s Level Shoes, where we asked him to share some of tips on choosing a red carpet shoe:

– “I started this label because I had a story to tell. Ten years ago shoes had become heavy as it was all about the platform, and I believe in the lightness of shoes, so my first shoe was the Gianvito, a classic pointed stiletto pump.” And if in doubt this should be every girl’s go-to shoe for any occasion.

– “A shoe is an accessory but it is not a piece of jewellery, it should not overwhelm. When you are on a red carpet it is not about the dress or the shoe, it is about the woman.” Which is why he believes his Portfino sandals (which have been worn by Miranda Kerr, Alexa Chung and Eva Longoria) and Plexi shoe (a firm favourite with Kim Kardashian West) are so popular; they are very elegant yet subtle.

– “Do not let width of the heel worry you,” he says. It is all about balance according to Rossi, the heel must be placed right in the centre of the heel so that it maintains balance. Which is why he chooses to pay attention to engineering and proportion. His heels have an average diameter of nine millimetres, making then very slim, but he says this does not take away from the comfort.

– For an important day event, he suggests the Gianvito in red satin. “Satin is the new fabric of this season. And wearing satin in the day is unexpected, it surprises.”

– Rossi does not believe that women need to wear high heels all the time. “I design a line of sneakers for a reason, they are a necessity.” So when not on the red carpet, the designer believes everyone should rest their feet in a pair of flats or sneakers.